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Language Learning Center
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Willamette University
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Salem, Oregon 97301
(503) 375-5492 voice
llc@willamette.edu
Hi, Caroline and I wanted to introduce this article about Peter Grünberg and Albert Fert, German and French physicists, who both just won the Nobel Prize in Physics last week.If you want to know more about their amazing work, go take a look at this article. You'll be surprised to see how much use we now make of their discoveries in our every day life!
International Herald Tribune:
Nobel Prize
Congratulations to Germany’s Women’s soccer team!!! On Sunday they won the World Cup 2007. Well done!!! It is very exciting for me because soccer is big in Germany - very big. It is also exciting because usually it is all about men’s soccer. I remember that in 2003 when the women’s team won the World Cup against Sweden a lot of my friends didn’t even know about it. This year the World Champions were celebrated in an appropriate manner and were enthusiastically welcomed when they arrived in Frankfurt. The team did an amazing job and never surrendered a single goal in the entire tournament.
Continue reading "German Women's Soccer Team - World Champion 2007"
My name is Caroline and I am the German Assistant at Willamette University. I am from Munich which is in the south of Germany. Last year I was freshman at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich. My major is Art History and my minors are Business Administration and Communications. I chose this combination because I want to work in the occupational field of art trade. After high school I lived in Boston for a year and worked as a Nanny for my host family. I took classes at Harvard Extension-school and traveled as much as possible. I am grateful that I had the chance to experience another culture and learn its ways of living and thinking. It was one of the best years of my life and I am very excited about experiencing the West Coast this time around. I am very interested in other cultures and languages. I think in today’s world it is important to get to know other cultures and learn to be open to other points of views. This is one of the reasons I want to be part of the Willamette World News. It gives me the possibility to see and learn about the world through other people’s eyes. I can’t wait to read the upcoming articles and share important news about Germany. Feel free to contact me via email (cstraube@willamette.edu). I’m looking forward to this wonderful year at Willamette University.
Bis bald,
Caroline
Fritz Lang was dreaming about it…he was the director of one of the most famous movies ever, “Frau im Mond” (“Women in the Moon”) from 1929. German rocket pioneers and scientists like Wernher von Braun helped the Americans after World War II to develop the NASA space program. So there was always a passion for going up there...to the moon.
Let us start this year with German culture.
Yes, we did it again. After “The Tin Drum (= Die Blechtrommel)” from 1979 and “Nowhere in Africa (= Nirgendwo in Afrika)” from 2002, “The Lives of Others (= Das Leben der Anderen) is the third movie from Germany (Category: Best Foreign Language Film) which won the Academy Award “Oscar”.
A successful night for director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck ended with a big party at the house of the famous German director Roland Emmerich, who lives in Hollywood on February 25th. With his wife and many actors of this movie he was celebrated this great success for the German movie scene. Donnersmarck’s first movie was a blockbuster in Germany that received rave reviews of American film critics.
I am Markus (26 years old) from Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
I am the German Language Assistant 2006/2007 at Willamette University.
In Munich I am studying Publishing (Major / Master), Business Economics and Political Science (both Minors) at the LMU (Munich University).
Continue reading "„Servus“ and Hello again from good, old Bavaria and Germany!"
On December 6th, we are celebrating “St. Nicholas' Day” in many parts of Europe. This day is very popular in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium, where especially the children are expecting this day, because St. Nicholas brings candy and small presents before Christmas! Continue reading "Saving St. Nicholas from Santa Claus – it is a different tradition!"
The very popular US TV Channel “Comedy Central” is coming to good old Germany. SPIEGEL ONLINE’s “English Site” published this nice news on November, 17th.Continue reading "US Channel “Comedy Central“ in Germany – Will „the Krauts“ laugh?"
Last week a report about poverty in Germany was released. This report started a big and important discussion about the "underclass" in Germany, which hasn't existed yet but now unfortunately exists. Many important newspapers and magazines in Germany were discussing this important society topic.
Hallo Leute! Continue reading ""Go Out and Kick Their Butts" - a movie about the German World Cup"
I am Markus, the German Language Assistant 2006-2007 at Willamette University.
I come from Munich, Germany. Munich is the capital of Bavaria, a state in the south of Germany, where we have also a special accent of German. So “Servus” is our word to say “Hello”. Perhaps you know Munich because of the world-famous “Oktoberfest”, which starts in the mid of September and lasts till the first weekend of October. Every year about 6.5 million people are visiting this traditional festival.
Continue reading "Markus - Bavaria (Germany) is calling - „Servus“ and Hello!"
Dominik Mauer
This week's news that German agents handed over sensitive documents detailing Saddam Hussein's defense strategy to the Americans has Berlin in turmoil. And conspiracy theories abound. Is someone trying to tarnish ex-chancellor Gerhard Schrцder's image? Hardly.
Rejecting the Bad: A Muslim Manifesto
"Who are the moderate Muslims, and why do they not speak up?" After being asked theis question over and over again since 9/11, particularly after the Danish cartoon crisis, Muslim intellectuals Akyol and Baran have proposed this Muslim Manifesto.
Dominik Mauer
From Fats Domino's unquenchable thirst to John Lennon's nude performance with a toilet seat: an amusing book by the founder of Hamburg's Star Club recalls how the world's rock stars converged on the northern German port city in the '60s.
Moscow's Mideast Challenge to America
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia seemed to cede much of its influence in the Middle East to the United States. No longer. Now, Moscow appears eager to present itself as a counterbalance to Washington in the region -- with major geopolitical consequences.
Dominik Mauer
US director Steven Spielberg discusses his controversial new film "Munich," which deals with the aftermath of the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics. In an interview with DER SPIEGEL he talks about the moral aspects of dealing with terrorism and responds to critics who claim he's betrayed the Jewish people.
Could Victory Be Undoing of Hamas?
The Islamist winners of Wednesday's election are woefully unprepared to assume power. Two days after the election, the Hamas Party's weaknesses have become increasingly clear. With its intellectual leader in exile and many key cadres of the movement sitting in Israeli jails, Hamas is suffering from a power vacuum.
Cemile Uruk
This article describes the first challenge of Germany▓s new Chancellor Angela Merkel. The 43 year old German archaeologist Susanne Osthoff is kidnapped by Iraqi terrorists. The goal of the kidnappers is to force the German government to stop the support for the Iraqi government. Read more!
German Muslims issue their responses
This article is written in German but gives a deep impression about how in Germany living Muslims fight against the Iraqi kidnappers. The central council for Muslims offers their help by demanding Susanne Osthoff▓s release. Different organizations appealed to free her in the name of ▒respect of the German government concerning the positive attitude of the Iraq war.
UFO's and Germany
This article illustrates how rumors can arise about possible UFO's in Germany because numerous fireballs were seen in the skies. Scientists try to explain this nature behavior as a "bizarre annual meteor blitz". However Germany is not the first and country which is visited with fireballs; fireballs were sighted also in the States, Canada, the Netherlands, North Ireland and Japan . Please read more about this phenomen:
Racial discrimination
In this article Europe discusses racial discrimination and the need of integration, especially in France . In Paris, a substantial percentage of immigrants are living in poor, ghettoized neighborhoods it is not easy to find a solution for this urban agglomeration. Germany's politicians don't have a solution for these cultural problems but they hope for a better integration through obligatory learning of the German language. A change in living conditions is important for those immigrants who live in ghettos.
Bird flu declared ▒global threat▓
Bird flu was first founded in South Africa in 1961. Infected birds spread the virus through their bodliy excretions. This originally was not transmittable to humans, however 1997 was the first time that humans were infected in Hong Kong. A few days ago is the nightmare back, this time in Europe.
Four guilty in terror trial
Germany is also not anymore a save place against terrorism: four Arabic terrorists planned to attack two Jewish owned discos in Duesseldorf, West Germany and in Berlin. Fortunately, the German laws take drastic steps against these men.
Troubled and dissilusioned youth: Krach im Viertel-conflicts in the neighborhood
In this article young people from different countries clash; conflicts between Turkish, Kurdish, Russian and German youngsters are getting normal, especially in big cities. Teenagers are dealing with topics which should not be important to them because they usually have no idea what's going on there and they do not live there (such as, conflicts between Turkish/Kurdish people in Turkey).
One might not forget that in the parts of cities where different cultures crashing together usually no integration happens. Self identifying processes, just to being part of a special culture, the nostalgi to belonging to somewhere is the root of the matter.
Hello!
This is an incredible article on the trial of Saddam Hussein. It is a bit old, in that the trial has already started, but the additional information the article gives is more than worth it, I promise! The newspaper Spiegel, as always, has done a very thorough job of reporting, and the perspectives it contains are very valuable, I think.
Hello!
For those of you who have been following the German elections of late, here is a link to an interesting article about current German domestic policy.
Turkey and the European Union
This article deals with the discussion between Turkey and the EU concerning the access for their membership. The Europe Union has again new requirements for Turkey. Since 40 years is Turkey struggling for a membership. In 1963 Turkey signed up for the economic association treaty with the access to join later the EU. In 1987 they applied first but were rejected. Nowadays they still want to get a part in EU.
Schroeder and German Elections
In this Article Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (SPD Social Party Democrats) wants ⌠to quit if party wants■. After the elections which were over 2 weeks ago both parties got almost the same votes. They are now struggling to get the favor of the coalition. However, I do not believe that Schroeder would defer the CDU even though he said it.
U.S., German physicists win Nobel
This article describes the peak out for the German Physician Theodor Haensch and the Americans Roy Glauber und John Hall by winning the nobel prize. The research and development presents Germany in a bright light.
Hi all, my name is Dominik Mauer, I▓m 25 years old and I made the long way from Bavaria, Germany, over here to spend my academic year abroad at Willamette. I was a bit disappointed about the temperature of the Pacific Ocean (they told me that it▓s cold but they didn▓t tell me that it▓s that cold!), but otherwise this stay here is going to even exceed all my expectations! My major is German linguistics, my minor English linguistics, so I▓m really glad that I finally got the chance to live in an English-speaking country for a longer time to improve my language skills. As for my glamorous hobbies, I▓m a bit afraid of neglecting them here since I had to leave my acoustic guitar and my juggling balls in Germany. So if anyone knows where I can buy some nice beanbags around here, please send me an e-mail! As for the world news, I will focus on ⌠DER SPIEGEL■ which is my favorite weekly magazine in Germany. It was founded by Rudolf Augstein (├ 2002) in 1947 and in several respects influenced by the legendary ⌠TIME■-magazine. I▓m also a great fan of the German satire magazine ⌠TITANIC■, however, I won▓t be able to present their articles here since in contrast to ⌠DER SPIEGEL■ they usually don▓t have any English articles and their puns and punchlines are impossible to translate. Anyway, I▓m not here to rummage in German newspaper articles, but to get to know English-speaking people (and maybe one of them will know where I can finally get some juggling stuff)!
My name is Cemile and I am from the Sauerland, which is in West Germany. My parents originally come from Turkey, but we are a Kurdish minority in Turkey (Kurdish people have never possessed their own country, but that is a long story). I am born in Hemer which belongs to the Sauerland. It is a nice place with a population of 37,000 people. We have many mountains and woods. I study and live in Dortmund, which is also called "Ruhrgebiet" it has 600,000 citizens. IN the past, Dortmund was famous for its coal production. Nowadays it has a great and easy connection by train and bus to the neighboring cities Cologne, Essen and Bochum. Dortmund is a kind of a multicultural city. Because of the mixed population it has different restaurants such as Moroccan, Chinese, Indian, Turkish, and others.
Search for new US-Ambassador in Germany will send a decisive signal
Daniel Coats vacated his post as US-Ambassador in February 2005. The former Republican US senator from Indiana did not know much Garman or about Germany when he arrived in 2001. So he wasn't the best person to try to solve the conflict between the two nations. The White House is still searching for a successor, but if it wants to signal interest in improving relations with Germany, they should choose a better man for the job. One of the moist likely options is Gerhard Casper, Hamburg-born former president of Stanford University. The emigree named Condoleeza Rice Stanford's Dean.
After Bush visit Schröder redefines German-American relations
German chancellor Gerhard Schröder stated in his first interview after American president George W. Bush visited Germany, that "Harmony" might be the wrong word to use. In this commentary the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) tries to explain the special relationship the chancellor has with the United States and stress the fact that - unlike his predecessors - he had been only one year old when the war ended, so the emotional tie of gratitude others have felt does not hold him back from rejecting the plans of the global power at times.
Germany suffers from relaxed visa requirements
Without doubt Joshka Fischer is the most popular German politician. Until now the Foreign minister could do no wrong. But now he finds himself in big trouble. The Green politician approved relaxed visa requirements. In consequence thousands of illegal immigrants - mainly from China and Ukraine - entered the Republic and crime rates in human traffic, drugs and prostitution soared.
Stasi officer aquitted of shooting GDR-Dissident
This week, another sad chapter in Germany's history came to an end. After 15 years the last trial of a series of persecuting the "Mauerschützen" - the Stasi officers who shot people who wanted to flee the GDR at the Wall - ended. Former Stasi officer Singer was accused of having killed 32-year-old Michael Gartenschläger in 1976. He was aquitted because the judges said they could not rule out that the Stasi officer acted in self-defense as Gartenschläger was armed when the two met on the border line. Alltogether 916 people were shot while trying to reach West Germany. The border guards who killed them, were usually given short or suspended sentences, because they had acted under standing orders.
Germany beats Austria and USA in Nation's Cup for Alpine Skiing
The bad news: It was a disappointing Worldchampionship for the German Alpine Skiers. The good news: During the last competition - the Nation's cup, in which three men and three women start as a team - we got a little of our pride back. In a discipline that values team-effort as much as talent, Martina Ertl, Hilde Gerg, Monika
Bergmann-Schmuderer sowie Florian Eckert, Felix Neureuther und Andreas Ertl won with 26 points before Austria, France and the United States. This triumph took everyone by surprise and gives us hope for the 2006 olympic winter games in Torino. What makes this success even more spectacular for myself, is that three of the runners came from my birth- and almost hometown Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Germans demonstrate during Bush visit
Even if this Artikel was written a month ago, it could be of interest to you now - that President George W. Bush is actually visting Germany "to mend broken ties" with
Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. But many people won't forgive and forget the past. Thousands of German protesters feel they can't rely on the German government to express indignation about Bush's politics and organized street protests, a Mardi-Gras like parade and candlelight vigils.
Powell's last mission in Europe turned into failure
Colin Powell, the US-state secretary, came back from a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels empty-handed. He asked for more support in Iraq, but although certain members of the alliance,
including Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway and Poland promised to send more troops to training facilities, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, and Spain claimed not being able to support the troops. This provoked an angry outburst from Powell at the press conference.
Berlin hosts the Athletics Championships 2009
With Leipzig and Dresden failing to win the Summer Olympics in 2012, there is some comfort that Berlin got one of the most important sports events. Getting 24 out of 26 votes, it is about to host the Athletics World Championship in 2009.
Hamburg Sea Devils join the NFL Europe
Now its official - NFL Europe should change to NFL Germany. Now that the Hamburg Sea Devils replace the defunct Scottish Claymores in April, the only non-German Football-Team in the League are the Amsterdam Admirals. They join the Cologne Centurions, Rhein Fire, Frankfurt Galaxy and Berlin Thunder in the six-Team league that tries to bring the American National Sport in to Europe.
Abuse of recruits
The abuse and mishandling of recruits in the German Bundeswehr now brings back an always present topic in the headlines. The draft. It has been argued forwards and backwards but the Federal Defense Minister Peter Struck always rejected demands to get rid of the conscription and transform the Bundeswehr in a solely professional
army.
Do Schalke’s investments pay back?
Now, I finally provide you some more news from the German Bundesliga: Seems like the millions Schalke invested before the season pay back now. After a bad start in the season and hiring the new coach Rangnick the went to the top of the league and are now second. But Swabian team VFB Stuttgart also did well, won 5:2 and is only three points behind...
Germany’s upper nobility
To bring another yellow press topic in I show you an article about the behavior of the descendant of Wilhelm II., the guy who began World War I. I am excited what he is going to do next after urinating at the Turkish pavilion at the Expo in Hannover, beating up journalist and, now, giving the nazi-salute. Isn’t he a paragon?
Strong Euro good for exchange students bad for Europe`s economy
What means for Europe's economy that exports will most likely decline in the upcoming months, becomes for us exchange students more and more like the permission to print money: the rise of the Euro against the Dollar in the last month. Trading now at an exchange rate of far more than 1,30
Dollar for 1 Euro the only possibility is to react by buying presents for everyone at home, including oneself.
Germans leading in not wanting children
For a long time it was taken for granted, that the typical German family would consist of father, mother and two children. The problem for a long
time was that for many couples their wish for children just did never
come true. As this article points out, this wish does not even longer exist. Germans seem to be the leading people in wanting to have no
children any more in Europe.
A taste of Swabia and Stuttgart
Although I study in Hamburg, my home is in the south of Germany and the most important and loveliest city in the South is clearly Stuttgart,
which is affimed by this article. So, everyone who does not want to come to Stuttgart enjoy this article, get a taste of Swabia and change your mind.
German leader starts Asian tour
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder began a three-day visit to China Monday seeking further trade and to have the country revalue its currency. German companies delivered $24.4 billion in goods and services to China in 2003, while China exported $33.6 billion worth of electronics, clothing and machinery to Germany.
Claim against Rumsfeld filed
US constitutional rights lawyers say they have filed a criminal complaint against the US Defence Secretary. Donald Rumsfeld and others are named in the complaint, lodged in Germany, over the abuses in Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison.
Fighting the preachers of hate
Germany is afraid of a clash of cultures within its own borders. How can it be avoided? A new tough stance against radical Islamists is helping. But how far can a democracy push in its fight against radical beliefs?
German newspapers see Powell's passing critical
While acknowledging Powell as a great politician and regretting his resignation, the German dailies are not too confident that the transatlantic relations getting better with the next Secretary of State. Germany's Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, however is looking forward to work with Condolezza Rice. See the opinions of the major dailies at:
German is becoming trendy again
It seems like the mixture of English and German which was mainly introduced by advertisers goes out of fashion. Now German is used again. After long years of substituting nice German words by not better English words there appears a ray of hope for the language of the poets and the thinkers. Read more about the recovery of the German language at:
German government withdrew new shareholder protection law
Because of a dispute whether the law in question is rather harmful or useful. One issue that arises is, whether the less information is provided to the shareholders, because of the instant fear of getting suit. Read more at
Hope for a new balance in U.S.-European affairs
The presidential elections are over and obviously did not bring the results many Europeans hoped for (and expected). As the article mentions it is like in a bad many marriage, you have to try to get along with your partner for better or worse. As it seems there is at least a
willingness to work together again. And who knows, maybe one day the marriage can even become a good one - as there is no possibility to get divorced - an idea politicians might think about.
German Forests Sicker than Ever
Unfortunately, we also here bad news from Germany. According to recent statistics German forests have never been as sick as now. While there are still arguments about what triggered out the latests illnesses one thing is for sure: we cannot go on like this for many more years and we won' t find an easy solution for that problem either.
Klinsmann: How to Reform a German Tradition
Speaking of reforms in Germany has to include one topic many people didn't even think of a short time ago: our national soccer team. With the appointment of Jürgen Klinsmann as new coach we are heading towards
the next world championships in 2006, which will take place in Germany. Making himself many supporters and many enemies in a really short time we all hope he can give us back what politicians and CEOs have been trying for years without success: German self-confidence. It would grow tremendously with a success in 2006, you can imagine.
Schröder congratulates Bush on winning election
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder sent U.S. President George W. Bush a congratulatory telegram. He claims that he is looking forward to a closer cooperation between Germany and the United States. I wonder if Schröder grit his teeth while dictating this telegram.
Bush Intends to Repair Ties to EU
While the transatlantic rift has not been much of a concern for Bush during his first term in office, he now seems eager to repair ties to “Old Europe”. He threatened … er … promised to visit Europe as soon as possible after his inauguration.
Forging Blindly Ahead
This is an interesting analysis of the past and future of the Iraq policy under the Bush administration. While the war has turned out to be a military quagmire, a quick withdrawal seems to be highly unlikely.
European head of states congratulate Bush
Neither German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder nor French president Jaques Chirac were on speaking terms with George W. Bush for quite some time. But now that the results are definite, both caved in and showed that they are eager to get the relations to the United States back on track. Read here how the Schroeder, Chirac and British Prime Minister Tony Blair congratulated Bush on his victory.
This year`s hit in Germany: Election parties
Germans are used to stay up all nights, watching the Oscars or the Grammys. But this year everyone decided to trade sleep for seeing live who is to reign the United States for the next four years. All over Germany there were election parties that started around 11 pm and ended in the morning. To witness how Germans experienced the US-elections on a party in Berlin you should read following article.
Should Queen apologize for bomb raids in Dresden ?
The Queen is visiting Germany right now. And again Germany`s most popular tabloid “Bild” has raised a heated controversy. In a headline it asked “Will the Queen apologize?” and showed pictures of the RAF bombing Dresden back in 1945. Though most of the German population was kind of embarrassed by this presumptuous suggestion, some people actually think England should not have bombed Dresden, where 30 000 civilians were killed. Although the Queen would not apologize, she hosted a concert, which was held to raise money for the resurrection of the Dresdner “Frauenkirche” that had been – like the rest of Dresden – completely destroyed during World War II.
First European Constitution signed
After a tough struggle for a couple of years the European Constitution is eventually passed by all the leaders of the 25 member states. The constitution has still to be ratified by the member states and will not take effect until 2007. The most important change is probably the abolition of the principle of unanimity and introduction of the majority voting system. Read a comment about the new constitution.
Germany is about break EU-deficit limit in 2005
The EU-Commission states that Germany will break the deficit limit for the fourth time in a row in 2005. In contrast to this forecast the German government still takes the position that Germany’s new debts will stay below the 3 percent. Germany, which once insisted
in the incorporation of this stability clause in the treaty is still suffering a economy growth below 2 percent. The divided opinions will not help to create trust in the
German economy.
Argument about Berlin Cold War Memorial
The recently errected memorial consists of a wall and 1,056 wooden crosses. One for every victim killed at the Berlin wall on an attempt to flee. For the opening
ceremony even the son of the former Soviet leader Nikita Krushchev came and held a speech. While he lauded the memorial set up by the Checkpoint Charlie Museum some German politicians think it symbolizes the commercialization of Berlin’s past.
Longest-serving State Premier Teufel Resigns
My first article today shows that politics very often is not about new ideas and contents but about persons. On the one hand this can make politics more interesting, but on the other hand it can also lead to events described in the article, the resign of Baden-Württemberg's (my home state's) state premier Erwin Teufel, Germany's longest-serving
premier. For him the party seems to be over.
Coalition Between Leading Nationalist Parties
After almost 60 years Germans again is afraid of a nationalistic extremist right-wing party being elected in our parliament in 2006. The National Party of Germany and the German People's Party, Germany's leading nationalist parties will team for the next elections. Together, we fear, they could be able to pass parliament's 5 percent hurdle.
Americans Apparently Like Germans Again
Believe it or not - at least I found it quite surprising - opinions of Americans about Germany are very good and have risen over the last months how this short study proves. Maybe, we even agree one day that there are more things we have in common than things that divide us?
All Eyes on America
Prior to the U.S. presidential election, the online-edition of the German magazine ‘DER SPIEGEL’ gives a good summary of the different opinions in the German press. Most newspapers warn against exaggerated enthusiasm for John Kerry.
"BILD" backs Bush
Despite the fact that most Germans want to see a victory of John Kerry in the election, Germany’s best-selling tabloid paper "BILD" (circulation of 4.7 million) has decided to endorse the incumbent President Bush. The German "New York Post" equivalent which is known for its lightly dressed front page pin-ups is convinced that Bush will do a better job in reaching out to his allies in his second term in office.
A Tearjerker of a Tale
Like many relatives of celebrities, Lothar Vosseler, half-brother of German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, tries to get his piece of the action. But instead of writing one of these ordinary high gloss hardcover biographies, he contributes to a seminal publication that is printed on tissues. The content might drive Chancellor Schröder to tears… (nice pun, huh?)
"Our society needs a new mentality"
In a recent interview with the ‘Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung’ German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder addressed domestic issues as well as the government’s stance on Iraq. Moreover, Schröder, who was criticized for being reluctant to address Vladimir Putin’s policy in Chechnya, stresses the importance of good relations with Russia. Furthermore, the Federal Chancellor explains his recent remark that many citizens exploit the social state.
Germany Extends Afghan Mission
While the struggle for Iraq takes center stage in the international news media, reports on the situation in Afghanistan take a back seat. Currently, however, the reconstruction and stabilization of Afghanistan is under discussion again - at least in the German parliament. The Bundestag approved a one-year extension of the Federal Armed Force’s Afghanistan mandate. One day before the vote, the German camp in Kunduz was attacked with grenades.
Call for German music radio quota
While Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven are known around the world, contemporary German music does not seem to enjoy much popularity – not even on German radio. In order to promote German music on radio stations, the Committee for Culture and Media of the German parliament is considering to introduce a quota for broadcasters.
German banks to repay state aid after EU ruling
The neverending battle between private and public banks in Germany has experienced another chapter. Private banks had complained before the European Commission, seven small public banks, that had received chaep loans from German regional governments. Now the banks have to repay the said 3 billion Euros ($ 3.7 billion) in illegal state aid. Interest rates on the loan the seven banks got to help them top up their reserves lay at 1 %, while market rates lay between 6% and 7%.
Culinary Olympics in Erfurt end
Germany isn`t famous for his cuisine, but still it has been host to the Culinary Olympics for 104 years now. Cooks from all over the world meet in Germany every four years to cook for Culinary Gold. There are different disciplines like entrees, desserts and appetizers and the contestants have to cook in glass-kitchens, where every move is carefully observed. This year Cooks from 38 countries have come to Erfurt (Eastern Germany) to demonstrate their skills.
First German suit against American Company Merck
The U.S. pharmaceutical company Merck is accused of negligent homicide and bodily injury in the case of a Berlin professor who was using the painkiller Vioxx and died 2002. Although Merck pulled the drug off the shelves September 2004 because of an increasing risk of heart attack or stroke, the relatives of the victim reproach them for not stopping sales sooner. If this case is successful, Merck will have to face more similar charges. It is estimated that hundreds of people have died because of the Vioxx side effects.
Transparency International (TI) presents Corruption Perception Index (GPI) 2004
On 10/20/2004 TI annually announces the GPI.
The GPI describes the comparative assessment of country’s integrity performance. Last year Germany had a score of 7.7 out of ten and was therefore only on the 16th position. Finland scored best with 9.7. This year the announcement will take place in London. The German section of TI will hold an online press-conference in Berlin.
For the outcome of the GPI
Angela Merkel in power struggle - Are there plans for a attempted coup against the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)?
Since Friedrich Merz the financial expert of the party announced his withdrawal from all his high level offices in the party there are rumors about a plotting against
Angela Merkel. In the background always stands the question who will become the Union’s candidate for chancellor (Bundeskanzler) in 2006.
GM-owned German car manufacturer Opel faces major job cuts in the next few years
The demand of the mother enterprise is high. 12000 jobs should be cut in the next few years in Europe. At least 4000 jobs are going to be cut at the factory in Bochum
and another 4000 at the main factory in Ruesselsheim. The workers are worried and are striking in Bochum. Now there seems to be some signs of solidarity at other
factories as well.
Investor confidence falls in Germany
My first article today is about Germany's current economic situation and how "experts" see the close future. Unfortunately, the economy has been waiting for a strong recovery for several years.
Finding Traces of the Berlin Wall
One of Germany's most popular places to visit still remains the Berlin Wall. What actually happened to it and where its last relics are to be
found can you read in this article. But be aware that looking for the wall might create a wish to visit this city with its unique combination
of history and presence.
New methods to enforce monthly fee on TVs, radios and computers
Believe it or not, Germany's administration even makes us pay a monthly fee for TV's. This fee is also imposed on radios and from the beginning of 2005 on PC's and enforced very strictly. What makes the article interesting, however, is that it contents an American view on this true German concept.
Schröder in landmark Libya talks
After Muammar Gaddafi’s miraculous metamorphosis from an undesirable dictator into a presentable statesman, western leaders seem to stand in line to knock on his door (which doesn’t really exist because he lives in a tent most of the time). After Tony Blair’s meeting with Gaddafi in March of this year, German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder paid the Libyan leader a visit as well. The two unlike politicians mainly discussed trade issues but Schröder did not fail to address the issue of compensation for victims of the 1986 Berlin disco bombing.
Germans Nab Qaeda Terror Suspect
German police arrested an al Qaeda suspect in Hamburg who is wanted in a Spanish indictment for playing a key role in Osama bin Laden's terror network. Spanish authorities allege that he was the permanent contact person and assistant of Osama bin Laden in Germany.
Berlin Man Wants End to Bendy Bananas
Everybody knows that Germans are world-famous for making high-quality cars. But whether the German engineered Banana will be equally successful remains to be seen…
Oktoberfest loses "400 000" Visitors
The Balance of this year`s Oktoberfest can only be regarded as sobering. Just 55 million liter-sized beer (“Mass”) were sold. Last year it had been 61 million liters of beer. Visitor-Figures didn`t exceed the 6 Million-mark like in the last two years, but stopped at 5.9 million. The worst thing is, that everybody is at a loss explaining the decline. In former times, one tended to blame the weather, but from September 18th till October 3rd it has been sunny and warm.
Austrian Writer wins Nobel Prize
Germany is known for stealing the glory of his Austrian neighbour. After all, Austrian Composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was elected the 20th most important German last year. So it`s not surprising, that we`re very proud of Elfriede Jelinek, a Writer from Vienna, who is only the tenth woman to receive the Nobel prize in Literature for her work which includes “The Piano Teacher”.
NFL Europe concentrates on Germany
Germany seems to be the last hope for American Football to conquer an European Market. It hosts six out of eight teams that play in the NFL Europe, including the most popular ones, Frankfurt Galaxy (at average 26 085 Fans), and Rhein Fire (21,000 Fans). A Board has been established to develop a strategy to establish American Football in the Motherland of European Football, soccer.
14 years re-united Germany - and still some barriers left
Fourteen years after the German reunion on October, 3rd, the German national holiday, there are mixed feelings about the united country in the German society. While established politicians try to focus on the common future and the things achieved in the past, the opinion of the people is varying very much. The satire magazine “Titanic” even founded a party with the main goal to rebuild the wall between east and west and to establish a special eastern economic area.
KarstadtQuelle threatened by insolvency
The German retailing corporation, which runs the Karstadt malls, the Quelle catalogue and online shopping and the Thomas Cook travel business is expecting hard times. To rescue the corporation almost half of its department stores must be sold or closed. Thus, tough negotiations with the labor unions and Karstadt workers are necessary. The KarstadtQuelle share, listed in the German MDAX lost nearly 10% on October 4, 2004 and is now worth € 11,44. Because KarstadtQuelle is a famous German corporation and a lot of jobs are at stake politicians interfere now.
German Champion defeats Valencia 2:1
The German Soccer Champion Werder Bremen had not a good start in the young Bundesliga season. Many injured players and the burden of three competitions – Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal (DFB-Cup) and Champions League made Bremen missing a convincing start. 4 wins are facing 3 defeats in seven games. The more important it was that Bremen won the first 3 points in the Champions League at home against Valencia. Klose and Charisteas turned the shortfall from the second minute around.
Germany celebrates 50th Anniversary of Sovereignty
Undoubtedly, October 3 is an important date for Germany. But unlike many people think, it was not only the date of Germany’s reunification in 1990 but also the date when Germany was granted full sovereignty after WWII in 1954. This short article focuses Germans 50th anniversary of that date.
Different Attitudes towards bionengineered food
The article deals with an almost cultural question why European consumers care so much about having no bioengineered food in the shelves of their supermarkets whereas genetically modified food seems to be no issue for Americans at all.
Newly invented "WC Ghost" conquers world market
After numerous German inventions that have gained tremendous success in recent years in basically all countries this is the latest and most exciting invention: some call it “WC ghost”.
And it furthermore proves that we do not all take ourselves too serious…
Oktoberfest starts in Munich for the 171st time
“O`zapft` is” (“it`s tapped”)! On September 19th (the last day of the Mount Angel–Oktoberfest) the original Oktoberfest opened its tents on the “Theresienwiese” in Munich – under Bavarian white-blue sky naturally. 10 million people from all over the world are expected to visit the unique event. Only known as “Wies`n” (“lawn”) to Locals, Oktoberfest, had its origins almost 200 years ago, when Bavarian Crown prince, Ludwig I., married the beautiful Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildeshausen. The festivities, consisting of horse races, a state fair and too much leftover beer began on October 17th, 1810. Since then Munich celebrates every year, but preponed the spectacle to September in the 1960s - because of better weather. After all it happens for three days that Oktoberfest is actually in October. The fifth season prevails until October 3rd.
German President thinks Germany should no longer strive for equal standards of living in East and West
A delicate subject has been touched, a heated debate aroused as German President Horst Koehler said in an Interview Germany should give up hope of achieving equal living conditions in the east and west. Koehler maintained that the east-west gap had to be accepted – as well as the north-south difference. German economy would never recover if politics kept trying to achieve equal standards of living everywhere.
While he spoke the mind of many Germans, the other side felt left in a lurch. After all it is hard to accept that Unemployment varies between 4 Percent (in Upper Bavaria) and over 20 Percent (in many Places in Eastern Germany).
Giant Football tours Host-Cities for Soccer-Worldchampionship
Two Years to go, but Germany is already in a rave about hosting the Soccer-Worldchampionship 2006. While Otto Shily is calculating tourism sales, a giant football is touring all German cities which host games – Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Gelsenkirchen, Cologne, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Hannover, Frankfurt, Dortmund, Kaiserslautern, Stuttgart. Inside there are besides others the ball, that won Germany the Worldchampionship in 1954, the trophy from 1990 and David Beckham`s boots. The huge round-shaped exhibit, that delivers Museum at day, great light show at night, will stay two months in every city, starting and ending in Berlin.
Klinsmann is new “Bundestrainer”
When Rudi Voeller resigned from being the Manager of the German National Soccer Team after the European Championship the run to find a new “Bundestrainer” began. Many candidates and many disappointing denials followed. Names like Hitzfeld, Rehagel, Wenger and even Matthaeus were dropped and all of them were discussed as successor of the popular former striker “Ruuuuuudi”. Finally the “Deutsche Fußball Bund” (DFB) decided that Juergen Klinsmann a World-champion (1990) and European-champion (1996) was the right man to prepare the German National Soccer team for the World Championship 2006 in Germany.
Germany’s biggest car manufacturer faces several problems
Tough times for VW: Not only that the current hoped for investment deal with Abu Dhabi, which was going to buy 9.8 per cent VW shares, failed. Now the current VW CEO and former BMW CEO Bernd Pischetsrieder is facing tough negotiations with Germany’s most powerful worker’s union the IG Metall. These bad news let the VW shares drop.
Baden-Wuerttemberg celebrates 300 years Ludwigsburg Palace
The beginnings of this enormous Palace trace back to the wish of Duke Eberhard Ludwig von Wuerttemberg to build a hunting lodge back in 1704. A splendid military career as well as the desire to show his power in a magnificent scale were leading Duke Eberhard Ludwig to the plan to expand the Palace according to his imaginations.
Still discussions on war reparations
Although WWII is almost 60 years over there are still discussions whether Germany should pay reparations to compensate Polish people who suffered under the German occupation of Poland between 1939 and 1944.
The whole situation is aggravated by some former German property owners who were expelled from Poland after 1945 and now try to sue Poland at the European Court of Justice to get reparations themselves.
Should Turkey become member of the EU?
Against the background of the enlargement of the EU the question arises whether Turkey should be one of EU’s next member states. So far discussions were restricted to either a full membership or nothing at all. Could a “privileged partnership” for Turkey be a “third way” in that discussion or is it to less for a country that has been waiting for membership for 30 years?
Sony and Bertelsmann face a delicate union
In consideration of the fact that KaZaA and others precipitated a crisis in the music industry all big music labels sold less CDs in the last years. Finally world’s second largest music label, Sony, and its fifth largest label, Bertelsmann react on that situation and decided to form a joint venture which makes them the second-largest label in the world. The new label will have a share of 25.2 percent based on 2002 sales and thus get very close to world’s number one, Universal Music with a share of 25.9 percent.
Gains by Extremist Parties Trouble Germany
Last Sunday elections were held in Brandenburg and Saxony, two of Germany’s 16 states. Both states are located in East Germany (which used to be the German Democratic Republic until 1990 when Germany was reunified). Despite great efforts to boost the economy and to improve the standard of living in the former Communist part of Germany, the economic climate remains devastating and the unemployment rate has reached a record high of 18.5 %. Set against this background, the plans of the governing Social Democratic Party of Chancellor Gerhard Schröder to prune the welfare state have provoked anger especially among East Germans who fear they will be the “losers” in the ongoing economic reforms. Since the major opposition party – the Christian Democratic Union – supports the government’s plans on the whole, many voters showed their protest by voting for extremist parties, sparking fear that Germany’s image abroad may suffer damage.
Kerry Leads in the (World Opinion) Polls
If Germans were to vote in this years U.S. presidential election, incumbent president George W. Bush would get the boot. A poll shows that 74 percent of respondents would vote for Kerry, with only 10 percent supporting Bush. One of the reasons is probably that many Germans feel alienated by Bush’s doctrine of preemption and unilateralism.
'Human' Hitler disturbs Germans
The new German movie “Der Untergang” (“The Downfall”) stirs controversy among Germans. It presents Adolf Hitler not only as a merciless dictator but also as a human being with feelings.
Hi there,
I am Maren from Murnau, the most beautiful place outside of Oregon. This little town in Bavaria is situated between a lake - the "Staffelsee", the Murnauer Moor and the Alps. And its also close to Munich, where I study Law, Media Science and American Studies. I left my picturesque home to become the German TA at no less picturesque Willamette University.
As a libra (my birthday is on October 16th, hint, hint) to exhibit I am in strong need of harmony and really easy to enthuse. This can be testified by everyone, I have been annoying for the last month with: "Loving this, love that." But I can`t help it - the people are amazing, the campus unique and the landscape breathtaking. The only thing I miss - apart from my sister Mi, my parents and my friends, of course - is German bread and real beer, but we`re on that. I will have an awesome time here and working on Willamette Worldnews will be a part of it. I hope you`ll habe as much fun reading our contributions as we`ve making them.
Moin,
my name is Jan, I am a 23 year old German law student from Hamburg and „Moin“ is the way to say “Hi”, “Good morning”, “Good day”, “Good afternoon” and “Good night” in Hamburg.
Although I study law in Hamburg - the “northern Venice” with even more bridges than the original - at Bucerius Law School for two years now, I would like to point out where I spend the first 21 years of my life. This is where I am originally from, the beautiful south of Germany, where the nicest of its sixteen states, Baden-Wuerttemberg, is located. Here in Schwaben I was born in the university city of Tuebingen and raised in my small, but nice, hometown Pfullingen.
After graduating from school and serving the state with civilian service I moved to Hamburg. And now I am spending my fall semester as part of an exchange program here at Willamette University College of Law in Salem. During these five months I am trying to get to know the American legal system as well as the American culture and countryside.
I think that’s all for now.
Jan
Hi there,
my name is Stefan Frick. I am 23 and a third year law student from Germany. For this term I am taking part in an exchange program between my home university Bucerius Law School and the Willamette College of Law.
After my Abitur (A-levels equivalent) I spent a year with my civilian services for the protestant church at the university hospitals in Tuebingen, very close to my hometown in the south of Germany.
During that time I decided to study law and consequently moved to Hamburg - Germany’s second largest city - about two years ago to attend a relatively young privately financed law school.
I am interested in politics, economy and sports, but most of all in history wherefore I hope to be able to comment on some interesting issues in the oncoming weeks and months.
Hi!
My name is Christoph Heuer, I’m 22 years old, and I’m a law student from Germany. One of my reasons to come to Willamette was the prospect of an internship at the courts here in Salem. Since I didn’t know much about the American judicature (I guess watching Grisham movies and “Matlock” doesn’t count), seeing American law in action was a very interesting experience. The jury trials were especially interesting since we don’t have juries in Germany.
When I go back to Germany in December, I’ll continue my studies at Bucerius Law School in Hamburg. In my opinion, Hamburg is one of the nicest cities in Germany. With more than 1.7 million inhabitants, Hamburg has a rich cultural scene and offers a lot of opportunities for students to have fun. Some of you may have heard of the (in-) famous Reeperbahn…
My home town is Porta Westfalica, a small town in the north-west of the state of North-Rhine Westphalia. I went to High School in the neighboring city of Minden and graduated from Ratsgymnasium (hey, stop smirking) in 2001. After serving my required time in the military, I went straight to law school. Okay, I guess that’s me in a nutshell. If you want to learn about me (honestly, who doesn’t? *cough*) you can visit my website: www.christophheuer.de.If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Christoph
Guten Tag,
Germany and the US are good friends again!
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder visited President Bush in the White House and they had a good time together, although there are still some topics in which they do not have the same point of view.
What do Germans read these days about the US?
German Press Review: German-American Tolerance.
What else?
The internet becomes really international. How is this?
New character for internet domains can make authentic German
internet addresses.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder resigns from his post as head of the Social Democratic Party. Is this the beginning of the end for him? Some say so, how can you lead a country when you can’t even lead your own party?
Schröder was reelected in 2002 and he is supposed to be our chancellor until 2006.
What’s going on in German schools?
Several recent cases of extreme violence at German schools have provoked officials to call for video surveillance. Experts say this won't help, adding that more trust between teachers and students is needed.
And unfortunately it’s not enough to have our own problems, German soldiers try to take care of people in countries far away, such as Afghanistan. Germany even had the command of the NATO-led peacekeeping force but handed it over to Canada now.
Guten Tag,
What happened with Mr. Hohmann?
Finally he was expelled from CDU Group in the parliament.
What else happened?
Well Michael Moore found his way to Germany and held several speeches, about his not very Bush-friendly thinking of the US. His book “Stupid White Man” sold about 1.1 million copies in Germany, twice as much as in the US. So it seems that we really like this guy, but see what German newspapers wrote about his visit.
And now something really sad, we lost against France in soccer. It was supposed to be a just-for-fun-game, but of course in something so important like soccer, and against one of our biggest enemies that is not possible.
When one hears women’s rights, one often thinks about third world countries (mutilation of women’s genital parts) or extreme religious countries (e.g. Afghanistan). There, inequality is often extreme and atrocities against women are part of their daily life and often justified by men as part of their culture or religion. Nevertheless there is also inequality in the so called civilized countries like Germany. I want to present you a quick review of the history of women’s rights in Germany in the last 50 years.
When one hears women’s rights, one often thinks about third world countries (mutilation of women’s genital parts) or extreme religious countries (e.g. Afghanistan). There, inequality is often extreme and atrocities against women are part of their daily life and often justified by men as part of their culture or religion. Nevertheless there is also inequality in the so called civilized countries like Germany.
Germany is an exporting country for several reasons. We have limited resources of raw materials and therefore have to concentrate on refinement and processing. The production of machines, production facilities and of course automobiles is a focal point of the German industry. Those products are exported worldwide and are in high demand due to their good quality and their high technical standard.
The USA is the biggest importer in the world and therefore the North-American market is vital to the German export. German car brands are becoming more and more popular in the New World. BMW, Daimler-Chrysler and the Volkswagen group were able to gain noticeable market shares lately.
Continue reading "Trade relations between the US and Germany regarding the war in Iraq"
Carsten Zwirner
Space exploration in Germany means working together with other European countries and the USA. Despite a budget deficit of the government, Germany has decided on an expansion of the financial support for the space administration. According to the Minister for Research and Science, Edelgard Bulmahn, this gives science and research the demanded stability to plan their investments.
The ISS, International Space Station, is a major project for Germany; it is a project by all the big industrial nations, including the USA (NASA), Russia, Japan (NASDA), Canada, Europe (ESA) and many other nations. Germany, on the behalf of the ESA, makes major contributions to this demanding project. We pay for 41% of the costs of the European part (ESA) of the ISS.
The stress of German space exploration is to make every day life easier:
Weather Forecast, Communication, Navigation (GALILEO as an European version of GPS) and TV. However the classical space exploration and other projects are still relevant. The surveillance of environmental exploitation on an international scope and especially the basic space exploration lose nothing of their importance. Germany has a leading place in those sciences and the exploration of our origin and the search for new star systems will still be major fields in the future.
German space administration, DLR:
http://www.dlr.de/dlr/Raumfahrt
Missions:
http://www.dlr.de/dlr/Raumfahrt/Missionen
ISS:
http://www.dlr.de/dlr/Raumfahrt/ISS
Born in 1976 in the beautiful Bamberg, in the state of Bavaria, I am 26 now and my major is business education for vocational schools. My minor is English and that was one of the reasons for me to come to Willamette. Having two more semesters to finish graduate school in Munich, I always wanted to study or work abroad before finishing my studies. Since I have relatives in Seattle, the West-Coast and especially the North-West was the place to go. Working with people from different nations and teaching have always given me pleasure. Munich, where I study in Germany, is a very multicultural city and is full of students from different places of the earth. Helping the Lewis and Clark exchange program there, by tutoring US students in Munich, made me want to go to the USA even more.
I am very interested in a variety of sports. Having played soccer for most of my life, I also inline-skate, snowboard, climb, swim and so forth. I really appreciate the excellent sport equipment and facilities at Willamette. As it is, Universities in Germany don not really support physical education nearly as much as schools in the States. I am also interested in Literature and reading books of American and English authors.
I am here for two semesters, this one being my second one. The thought of going back to Germany in May is positive on the one hand, because I miss my friends back there, but also negative on the other hand, leaving all the new friends and interesting people I met here behind. Friendships made abroad sometimes last for life and I do not want to miss this experience for anything in the world. If you ever have the opportunity to study in another country do not hesitate for one second. This experience will change you so much … for the better.